You’ve probably heard a million times that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But do you know the real value of eating breakfast? In this post, we’ll tell you exactly why breakfast is so important and we’ll also share two great breakfast meal prep ideas to get you started!
Be honest: how many days a week do you start your day with a healthy breakfast? Or any breakfast at all? On the days you skip breakfast, you might notice you feel more sluggish. Your mood might be lower and your mind might not be as sharp. As for the scientific explanation for why this happens without breakfast? Let’s explore!
The Value of Eating Breakfast for Physical Health
Glucose is your body’s energy source and your body gets this from food. So, if you don’t eat breakfast, you simply won’t have the same energy in the morning as you would otherwise! Not to mention, breakfast kick starts your metabolism for the entire day. The sooner you eat breakfast in the morning, the sooner your metabolism gets to work.
Take it from this article from the Better Health Channel:
“In the morning, after you have gone without food for as long as 12 hours, your glycogen stores are low. Once all of the energy from your glycogen stores is used up, your body starts to break down fatty acids to produce the energy it needs. But without carbohydrates, fatty acids are only partially oxidized, which can reduce your energy levels.”
More energy not only helps you power through your day, but it also gives you the energy you need to get through a tough workout and make progress with your physical fitness.
Part of the value of eating breakfast also lies in the fact it helps you make healthier choices throughout the rest of the day. Powered by a healthy breakfast, you’re less likely to reach for less nutritious snacks or meals when hunger suddenly strikes.
The Value of Eating Breakfast for Mental Health
Eating breakfast helps prevent rapid blood sugar swings throughout the day. In addition to the physical effects of rapidly changing blood sugar, this can also affect your mood. When your blood sugar is low, you’re more prone to feeling anxious, irritable, or just plain grumpy. Your brain needs energy (from glucose) to function at its best, which is why starting your day with a nutritious breakfast is so important.
Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
If you’re ready to prioritize starting your day with a healthy breakfast, we’re here to help. To help boost your chances of success, we encourage you to meal prep your breakfasts. This saves you lots of time on busy mornings and helps you reach for a healthier option.
Here are two ideas to get you started.
Overnight oats: These take just five minutes to prep and can be kept in your fridge for up to five days. Talk about a win-win! Not to mention, you can customize your overnight oats however you like. Find some great ideas in this post.
Tuna omelette: This low carb, keto, and gluten-free tuna omelette is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. It takes only 13 minutes to prep and it’s packed with protein to keep you full longer!
Do you want to learn even more about meal prepping? Here are our top tips for effective meal prepping.
